Experienced Scranton Wills, Trusts, and Estates lawyer knowledgeable about Pennsylvania, federal laws.

Preserving your money and other assets for loved ones, future generations, and institutions you value takes hard work. Details matter when it comes to wills, trusts, and estates. The slightest mistake could have serious financial implications for generations to come. One misunderstood detail and your successor or trustee could be someone who won’t respect what you’ve worked for.

You’ve taken the right step by considering Mazzoni Valvano Szewczyk & Karam for your estate planning needs. It’s important to have an experienced attorney working for you who thoroughly understands Pennsylvania’s estate laws, as well as federal rules and regulations governing wills, trusts, and estates.

Our Scranton estate planning lawyers have decades of experience handling complicated legal issues. Serving Northeastern Pennsylvania since 1962, our law firm has a well-earned reputation throughout the region for helping families plan responsibly for the future.

How We Help Clients with Wills, Trusts, and Estates Cases.

If you want to ensure your family is taken care of and your wishes accounted for regarding your medical care and assets are followed, you need to do some estate planning. Our NEPA estate planning lawyers can help you determine what you need and prepare all the documents to your specifications, like selecting a successor or trustee for example. We help our clients meet their goals, in a broad spectrum of estate planning areas, including:

“Why should I plan now?”

Studies have shown that nearly 68% of Americans do not have a will. When you consider the legal and emotional ramifications this leaves on family members, it makes you wonder why so many people don’t have estate plans.

But it’s important to start now. Many people think they have to wait to accumulate significant assets. However, once you start your first job as an adult, it’s the perfect time to begin.

Once you’ve drafted initial estate plans, you’ll need to review them after major life events–marriage, the birth of a child, death of a parent, spouse, etc.

Dying intestate (without a will) can mean that your hard-earned assets can end up in the wrong hands, your healthcare choices will be unknown, and your children’s or dependants’ futures will be uncertain. A trust lawyer can help make sure that doesn’t happen.

Benefits of Estate Planning

Estate planning is more than just thinking of your own well-being–it’s being there for your family even when you physically are not. And it’s not just for the elderly. It’s for any family in Northeast Pennsylvania, including if:

  • You have minor children. If you and your children’s other parent die intestate, a judge will choose the children’s guardian and who will control their property until they turn 18. This means their caregiver may not be who you would have liked it to be. And, if you are leaving significant assets to your child, they will get it all at age 18, even if they can’t handle it.
  • You have adult children. By having an estate plan in place, you will minimize the risk of internal fighting amongst any heirs, successors, or trustees.
  • You don’t have any children. If you do not have children but would like for your estate to go to charity, you’ll need an estate plan to ensure those assets go where they belong.
  • You want to minimize taxes. PA inheritance tax can really impact the value of an estate. To minimize taxes, there are ways you can divide the assets within an estate plan. A trust lawyer can help you with the specifics of doing this.
  • You own a small business. As a small business owner, you’ll want to make sure the legacy you have built ends up in the right hands.
  • You want control over your own future. Life can change quickly. Be it sickness or illness, should you be unable to make your own decisions, having an estate plan in place will help you be in control over your own future.

“What legal issues do I need to consider with wills, trusts & estates?”

Many legal issues need to be considered when creating or amending an existing will, trust, or estate. In order to help our clients choose the approach they want to take with their will or trust, we often ask people to ask themselves important questions:

  • What are your goals?
  • Is your will complete?
  • What should you include in your will?
  • Do you want to create a legacy for your family?
  • Do you want to financially help loved ones now?
  • How will inheritance taxes affect your loved ones?
  • Do you want to wait to pass on your inheritance?
  • Do you want to financially support charitable organizations?
  • Who do you want to be your successor or trustee?

Our trust lawyers can help you answer all these questions and many more. We have the knowledge and experience you need to ensure your goals and wishes are respected now and for future generations.

FAQs for Wills, Trusts, and Estates Attorneys

Q1. What Documents Are Covered in My Estate Plan?

A typical estate plan includes:

  • Will: It spells out the distribution of your property after your death. It also names the executor who will carry out the terms of your will.
  • Trust: It can help you manage and protect your assets while you are alive and after your death. It can prevent complex court proceedings following your death.
  • Durable Power-of-Attorney: This document lets you name someone to make financial decisions for you should the need arise.
  • Healthcare Proxy: It lets you choose someone to make healthcare decisions for you when you are unable to do so.
  • Living Will: It sums up your end-of-life wishes. For example, it can outline the measures to be taken if you have a terminal illness, a permanent disability, or unconsciousness.

However, you must consult a seasoned estate attorney in Scranton, PA, to draw out a watertight estate plan. This helps you avoid legal complications in the future.

Q2. What is a Living Will?

Also called Advanced Healthcare Directive, a Living Will is a legal document that allows you to set your end-of-life medical care choices. Unlike a regular will, it has no power after your death.

A Pennsylvania wills lawyer will advise you to create a living will because it leaves your family with instructions for when you can’t express your wishes regarding your healthcare.

For example, it tells your family what to do when you have a permanent disability, terminal illness, or you are unconscious. You will want to talk to a skilled estate attorney to help you determine what should go into your living will.

Q3. Can I Revoke or Change My Will?

Yes, you can revoke your will as and when needed. Many reasons prompt people to change their will. It can be marriage, divorce, the death of a loved one, or a new baby. Whatever the reasons may be, you should consult an estate attorney in Scranton, PA, before changing your will.

Usually, you can revoke your will by:

  • Destroying the old will
  • Creating a new will
  • Making changes to the new will

But a Pennsylvania wills lawyer can help you take the right course of action depending on your circumstances. Consult an estate lawyer the moment you think of revoking your will.

Q4. What Should Be Included in My Will?

A typical will consists of:

  • Personal Information: Basic information like your name, date of birth, address, and the date you signed the will.
  • Executor Details: It includes the name, address, and other details of the executor who will carry out your will.
  • Beneficiary Details: List the individuals who will inherit your property and assets as beneficiaries. They can be your friends, family, or even a business or charity.
  • Assets Distribution: Outline how you want to distribute your assets after the death. You can leave everything to one person or more than one individual.
  • Guardian Details: If your beneficiaries include minors, the disabled, or the elderly, name a guardian for them.
  • Signatures: Usually, a handwritten will does not require a signature. But it’s best to have it properly signed and filed.

A trusted Pennsylvania wills lawyer can help you create your will.

“Why should I hire the Scranton law firm of Mazzoni Valvano Szewczyk & Karam?”

You worked hard to acquire and build everything you value. We can help you preserve your assets and your legacy. Contact us today for a no-obligation consultation.

Call (570) 348-0776 and schedule an appointment with Mazzoni Valvano Szewczyk & Karam. We can walk you through, step by step, all the legal options available to you.

Put your trust in a law firm that puts your best interests first. We offer a free case evaluation to all potential clients.

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